A secret island society. ~~Chiyeon~~ {Book 5}

The hidden chamber.

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The next morning, Chiquita and Ahyeon decided to venture deeper into the island, hoping to uncover more of its secrets. They packed some supplies and set off into the dense jungle, the path winding through towering trees and thick underbrush.

“This place feels ancient,” Ahyeon remarked, her eyes scanning their surroundings. “Like it’s been here long before any of us.”

“Yeah,” Chiquita agreed, her hand brushing against a tree as they walked. “You can feel the history in the air.”

As they continued, they stumbled upon a large stone structure, partially hidden by the jungle. The entrance was blocked by a heavy stone door, covered in moss and vines. Intricate carvings decorated the surface, depicting scenes of battles and rituals that seemed both familiar and alien.

“This must be one of those places the council warned us about,” Ahyeon said, eyeing the door warily.

“But isn’t that why we’re here? To explore?” Chiquita replied, already examining the carvings for any clues on how to open the door.

“Canny, we should be careful. We don’t know what’s inside,” Ahyeon cautioned, her instincts screaming at her to turn back.

Chiquita paused, turning to Ahyeon with a reassuring smile. “I know, but we didn’t come all this way just to stop now. Besides, we’re together, right? We can handle whatever’s inside.”

Ahyeon sighed, knowing she couldn’t change Chiquita’s mind. “Just… promise me you won’t do anything reckless.”

“I promise,” Chiquita said, holding Ahyeon’s gaze. There was something in the way Ahyeon looked at her, something that made Chiquita’s heart race in a way that had nothing to do with the excitement of the discovery.

Together, they pushed open the door, revealing a dimly lit chamber filled with ancient relics and artifacts. The air was cool and damp, and the walls were lined with shelves that held scrolls, pottery, and strange objects that seemed out of place in time.

“Wow… this place is like a treasure trove,” Chiquita whispered, her eyes wide with wonder.

Ahyeon stepped closer to one of the shelves, her fingers brushing against an old scroll. “These could hold the key to understanding the island’s history.”

As they explored the chamber, Chiquita noticed a large, ornate mirror at the far end of the room. It was surrounded by candles that had long since burned out, and the glass was covered in a thick layer of dust.

“Hey, check this out,” Chiquita called to Ahyeon, who was still engrossed in the scrolls.

Ahyeon joined her, her eyes widening as she saw the mirror. “It’s beautiful… but it feels out of place, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah… almost like it’s here for a reason,” Chiquita mused, wiping away the dust to reveal the glass beneath.

As soon as her hand touched the mirror, the surface shimmered, and an image appeared—an image of Chiquita and Ahyeon standing together, but in the reflection, their expressions were different. Chiquita looked troubled, and Ahyeon was holding her arm as if trying to comfort her.

“What the…?” Chiquita murmured, stepping back in surprise.

“It’s us… but it’s like a different version of us,” Ahyeon said, her voice full of awe and confusion.